Documentaries on Transgender Issues

The following WMST-L discussion from September 2008 offers suggestions for adocumentary appropriate for a college course section on transgender politics. At the end of the file is a message from 2010. For additional WMST-L files onthe Web, see the WMST-L File Collection.

I am teaching a section on Transgender politics and I am looking for a gooddocumentary. Suggestions most welcome.Thanks,Gail DinesGail DinesProfessor of Sociology and Women's StudiesChair of American StudiesWheelock College35 Pilgrim RoadBoston, MA 02215gdines AT wheelock.edu

Though problematic in areas, the film Middle Sexes is very useful forintroducing students to all sorts of issues about gender and biological sex. Ialso find that even the limitations of the film provide for interesting waysinto conversations about things like Eurocentricism within gender/sexdiscourses and visibility issues for f to m trans. Besides, it is narrated byGore Vidal and his voice is very pretty to listen to.Elizabeth Simon Ruchti , Ph.D.E.O. Bull 037 Department of Theatre West Chester University of Pennsylvania West Chester, PA 19383

You specifically asked for "Transgender Politics." "Middle Sexes" doesnot cover efforts to change laws, etc. The A&E network series"Investigative Reports," produced "Transgender Revolution" in 1998. Amongother things, the video introduces Nancy Nangeroni, and her MITbroadcast/Internet radio program GenderTalk. The series is anchored andnarrated by the very authoritative Bill Kurtis:http://store.aetv.com/html/product/index.jhtml?id=72200Hannah MiyamotoUniv. of Hawaii at Manoahsmiyamoto AT msn.com

I would recommend Transparent ( http://www.transparentthemovie.com/ ), adocumentary about 19 transmen who gave birth to children, both before andafter transitioning. The film is very good at provoking discussion amongstudents about topics such as essentialized concepts of parenting/motheringand current policies/laws affecting transparents.Good luck!JessicaJessica Ketcham Weber | www.etoilebleu.comWomen's & Gender Studies Program Coordinator | www.lsu.edu/wgsPhD Candidate in Literacy, Media, and Cultural StudiesDepartment of English, Louisiana State University

You might also look into "Southern Comfort", which adresses the experience morefrom a f-t-m viewpoint. The documentary takes on a number of issues, but theissue of proper healthcare is the elephant in the living room...the leadingfigure in the film is dying of ovarian cancer and is repeatedly refusedtreatment.http://www.nextwavefilms.com/southern/Chris

My fave trans-positive film is the sweet French film Ma Vie En Rose, about ayoungáperson andáfamily. (Not to be confused with the Edith Piaf flick ofsimilar title).Kiesawww.oleandercottage.comkiesa AT oleandercottage.com

Trans documentaries for possible use in the classroom include:Screaming Queens: The Riot at Compton's Cafeteria: Susan Stryker's brilliantwork about transgender resistance to police brutality in 1966 San FranciscoCruel and Unusual: the plight of transgender women in men's prisonsFenced Out: the activist work of LGBT youth of color in NYC to protest policebrutality and gentrification on the Christopher Street piersToilet Training: the harassment and organizing efforts of transpeople andallies in public restroomsTransgender Revolution: an overview of trans identity and trans activism in theUSBoy I Am: one of the few films which engages with feminist and lesbiancritiques of trans identities through exploring the lives of three FTMsTransAmazon: A Genderqueer Journey (full disclosure: I co-produced this): mytrans life and activist efforts in rural NHParis is Burning: gay and trans African Americans and Latinos in 1980s NYC andthe house system and balls they participate inThe Believers: the story of the world's first transgender gospel choirPick up the Mic: an interesting film about LGBT hip hop artists, it isinclusive of bi and trans artistsSouthern Comfort: the poignant story of FTM Robert Eads and his fight toreceive culturally competent medical care in rural Georgia when he is diagnosedwith ovarian cancerYou Don't Know Dick: profiles of several female-to-male transsexualsTrappings of Transhood: profiles of trans-masculine spectrum people in the BayAreaCall Me Malcolm: documentary about a transgender seminary student and hisstruggles with faith and gender identityMind If I Call You Sir?: doc about the lives of Latino FTMs in the Bay AreaGeorgie Girl: Documentary about Georgina Beyers, a Maori transsexual elected toParliament in New ZealandPaper Dolls: story showing the lives of Filipino MTF transgender immigrants toIsrael who care for Orthodox Jewish men by day and by night perform in a dragtroupeBombay EunuchHarsh Beauty: two docs profiling the lives of hijras, gender-variant personsoften called "eunuchs" in IndiaEnough Man (this title includes sexually graphic footage): interviews andscenes of sexuality from a diverse group of female-to-male transpeopleOutlaw: a documentary about the life and work of transgender warrior LeslieFeinbergA Boy Named Sue: portrait of an FTMGirl Inside: portrait of a young MTF and her close relationship with hergrandmotherJuggling Gender: film about a bearded woman who discusses her life on thegender lineSir: Just a Normal Guy: portrait of an FTMShinjuku Boys: the lives of gender-variant natal females in Japan who work ashosts to entertain heterosexual womenAdventures in the Gender Trade: profiles the life of the amazing KateBornstein, transgender writer, theorist and performance artistBecoming Ayden: profile of a young trans man in Toronto who must deal with theobjections of his father, a conservative rabbiJoelle Ruby Ryanjoeller AT bgsu.edu

As seen in this month's Video Librarian, our collection of award winningtransgender films are now on sale. Place your order today by visiting www.outcast-films.comShe's a Boy I Knew (70' Canada, 2007)Screened at more than 100 festivals world-wide - Winner of 16 audience andjury awards"A breakthrough doc of the transgender movement .goes where no film on thistopic has dared to go before: the complex politics and emotions of theintricate, delicate web of family, friends, lovers and community. aneye-opening, engrossing odyssey through battles with the health care system,the physical challenges of surgeries, and the psychological pain ofreclaiming one's self and one's family. Adroit, sharp, and agile in itshybrid cinematic style, She's a Boy I Knew invites us into not only a lifein transition but into activism." Patricia R. Zimmermann, Ithaca Collegeand author, "States of Emergency: Documentaries, Wars, Democracies and ReelFamilies""A a moving story of self-discovery and individual becoming. Haworth joinsautobiographical narrative home movies from childhood to interviews withfriends and family. These creative juxtapositions open the film up beyond anindividual story of change. One of the real strengths of She's a Boy I OnceKnew is its ability not to judge any of its interview subjects and itsrichly layered depiction of the social matrix within which gendered beingunfolds, changes, becomes." Ann Pellegrini, New York University, Co-authorof "Love the Sin: Sexual Regulation and the Limits of Religious Tolerance"Gender Redesigner (72', USA, 2007)"A provocative, honest, and engaging exploration of the FTM transitioningprocess. A documentary about gay life in America quickly transforms intoanother type of journey as the subject in the film, fAe, begins efforts totransition to a male. Facing a series of challenges - financial, familial,and cultural/geographic - fAe's personal strength and supportive networkserve as clear resources in the transitioning process. Exploring complexlinks between biological sex, gender construction, sexualorientation/identity, and gender passing or blurring, Gender Redesigner isperfect for classroom use," Lee Harrington, Miami University, SociologyAffiliate, Women's Studies Program Dept of Sociology & Gerontology."Gender Redesigner a touching and personal documentary, an earnest work thathearkens to the tradition of queer road movies like TRANSAMERICA andPRISCILLA, QUEEN OF THE DESERT. fAe is funny, insightful, and inspiring, andthe film's real power comes from a concern for its trans subject thatresists sensationalizing or glamorizing. Bergman has constructed a portraitof a queer protagonist just as he is - an average American young persontrying to find his way in life. Young audiences in particular deserve theopportunity to experience this optimistic and endearing glimpse into fAe'slife." Christian J. Gay, Ph.D., SUNY Purchase College, AssistantProfessor, Cinema StudiesCruel and Unusual (64', USA, 2006)"Cruel and Unusual is an in depths look at the plight of transgender womenin men's prisons. This film skillfully weaves moving interviews withtransgender inmates and former inmates with important medical and legalinformation about male to female transgenderism. The women are articulateand their testimonies, as presented here, make a powerful statement aboutthe conflation of gender variance and criminality in the eyes of the law.This film would make an invaluable teaching tool in courses on women, classand race; gender identity; social justice and incarceration." JudithHalberstam, USC, author of "Female Masculinity" and "In A Queer Time andPlace: Transgender Bodies, Subcultural Lives""This film is an excellent resource for classroom use! Cruel and Unusual'ssmart, compelling and complex treatment of the issues associated withtransgender women in prison totally captivated my students. It is a greatresource for discussing theories of sex and gender, the criminal justicesystem, the treatment of prisoners, and human rights in the United States.The filmmakers successfully show the humanity of their subjects whilesimulateously providing a sophisticated analysis of how prison policiesaddress the issues sex and gender. This film is compelling, entertaining,provocative, accessible and thoughtful. I highly recommend it." DebraLiebowitz, Associate Professor, Political Science & Women's Studies, DrewUniversityFor additional information including full reviews, to view clips, and toplace your order please visit www.outcast-films.comABOUT OUTCAST FILMSOutcast Films, your resource for the very best in LGBT film, is adistribution company dedicated to the fair and equal representation of mediamade by or about the diverse Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender community.We are also educators and activists and want to be a vehicle for voices thatmay not otherwise be heard. Outcast Films outreaches to thousands ofteachers, community leaders, activists, policy makers and breakers,institutions, and individuals. By doing so, we hope to foster criticaldiscussions around social justice issues, as well as providing the publicwith a resource of cutting edge films and videos created by and impactingthe LGBT community.